German trade groups expand solar installation agreement
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Several German trade associations and occupational safety organizations broadened an agreement governing the installation of photovoltaic systems across the country.
In March 2024, the Central Association of German Electrical and Information Technology Trades (ZVEH), the Central Association of German Roofing Crafts (ZVDH), the Employers' Association for Energy, Textile, Electrical and Media (BG ETEM), and the Employers' Association of the Construction Industry (BG BAU) initially formed the agreement.
In September 2024, the Central Association for Sanitation, Heating and Air Conditioning (ZVSHK) joined them. Now, Holzbau Deutschland, the Federal Association of German Master Carpenters within the Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB), the Federal Association of Metals, and the Employers' Association for Wood and Metal (BGHM) also support the agreement. The ZVSHK expanded its participation to include plumbers and heating engineers, in addition to its previous involvement with the metalworking trade.
The groups revised the agreement to improve safety during solar panel installation. They defined requirements for safe work on roofs, provided a sample instruction for using work and protective scaffolding, and established training requirements for an electrically skilled person (EuP). The agreement aims to protect employees of member companies from electrical hazards and prevent falls for workers from electrical businesses.
While electricians must still handle alternating current (AC) connections, the agreement allows businesses outside the electrical trade to perform direct current (DC) connections with a qualified EuP or in cooperation with an electrical company. The organizations also believe the agreement benefits customers by providing a single point of contact and better coordination between trades.
